About Trees, Woods & Forests

In this category we celebrate the tree in all its diverse forms. From the venerable old oak to the resplendent redwood, from the garden apple tree to the wild forests, we are inviting you to show us how important trees are in our lives and in the health of our planet.

Winning tree images will reveal the treasures of our great woods and forests as well as the beauty of a solitary tree. How do people and trees live side by side in one world? How does a tree create a sense of well-being? The judges will be looking for tree images that seek to address these questions, as well as those that portray the simple beauty of our planet's trees.

Insights

The diversity of style and species in this popular category is testament to the multitude of wondrous trees all over the world. Apart from technical excellence, to stand out in this category look for compelling scenes and beautiful specimens to create treasured tree images.

In the words of Tony Kirkham, Head of the Arboretum, Gardens and Horticultural Services, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: “In my everyday work, whether it is at home in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew or if I am visiting gardens and arboreta around the world or looking at trees in natural woodlands and forests, I am constantly looking for the perfect shot – a tree in pristine surroundings with the perfect background and the perfect light and colour.”

Wider benefits

Our woodlands and forests are some of the most ancient and precious habitats on earth that we can’t afford to lose. Take part in highlighting and documenting these vital plants that have been intrinsic to the human experience for so long. This recognition turns a walk in the woods into something far more profound. Incredible tree images have the power to inspire people at all levels to make important decisions about urban development and environmental issues. But tree images aren’t just about inspiring big decisions; they’re also about smaller feelings of contentment.

As Tony Kirkham says in the introduction to Collection 11: “On my kitchen wall at home I have a large photograph of a beech tree in a woodland; it is a previous winner from the Trees, Woods & Forests category. It shows every part of the tree, from the buttressed root plate and the trunk, to the very tips of the upper canopy. It is surrounded by its woodland friends and I never get tired of looking at it.”

Prizes & Why should I enter?

Prizes

First prize:

By entering this category your image stands a chance to win the overall IGPOTY title and prize of £7,500! Please note - you cannot win this category prize and the overall prize.

Rules

You may not submit watermarked images with your name or website visible on the photo. Please do not frame your images with borders.

Entrants may submit a maximum of 4 images per single entry token and a maximum of 6 images per portfolio entry token.

For free-to-enter competitions you should enter 1 image per token given, upto a maximum of 8 images (8 tokens).

Entrants' images must be .jpg or .jpeg format and of high enough quality.

We recommend all images are output to 1920px on their longest side at 72 ppi. Any larger than this and you are supplying images bigger than they will be seen or used by IGPOTY judges; your files will take longer to upload and/or download to judges and viewers’ screens.

The absolute maximum for each image must not be more than 7MB in file size and no more than 3000px on their longest side.

All entrants must be able to supply a high-res image (300dpi) suitable for printing/exhibiting should the image be shortlisted. You may be asked for this when the time comes. We can help you with this if need be.